Memories

Not really sure what this means...

I really enjoyed reading the chapter “On Habit” for a number of reasons. Mainly because it reminded me of how I would go on “room travels” all the time as a kid. Because I moved around so much, every new house was like an adventure ready to be explored. New nooks and crannies for miscellaneous items to be stored, boxes still left unopened, and a curious appetite made for hours of entertainment. My journey consisted of memories- my own, my parents’, my siblings’, and any other memories I could delve my hands into. Finding old photo albums never got old and even discovering letters was always a treat for the mischievous little girl that I was.

Now that I’m older and a college student who goes home only for the holidays, “room travel” has become a very necessary thing for me to do. Especially since the two winter breaks I’ve had in college so far have been in two totally different places (Korea, then Hawaii). Freshman year, I had to acquaint myself to a new house and a new room only to have to reacquaint myself to another new house and new room sophomore year.

My Hawaii room actually proved to be quite a journey down memory lane because up until that point, a lot of our stuff had been in storage for years. (We’re only allowed to bring an allotted weight internationally so unnecessary items were left stateside.) My mom had filled my room with all of my old books, toys and other items that I hadn’t seen since middle school. Needless to say, hours went by without me even realizing the time. And the fact that I was in Hawaii, a popular vacation destination and my first time visiting didn’t even faze me from reconnecting with my past the first couple of days I was home. Strange, now that I think about it…

Here in Italy, I feel a disconnect with my room. Knowing that I would only be here for a few months, I packed VERY lightly (especially when comparing with my roommate and housemate). I literally take up a tiny little corner of the room that can now fit just one suitcase (I sent one suitcase of summer clothes back with my boyfriend a few weekends ago when he visited…). And I’m not one to scatter my things all over the place or tack things up on the wall and claim the space as mine.

Still, if I let myself explore a little, my little corner of the room does hold quite a lot. My school books (though not many because I refused to buy them if they were available at the school library…), my journal, little trinkets and other school necessities that I brought with me, a plant my host dad bought for me on our second day here (still alive!), mementoes such as tickets and brochures from various places I’ve visited here in Europe. Maybe I’ll take a little room travel later…